Gate-fastener



J. R. P'OWELL. GATE FASTENER. APPLICATION FILED APR. 4,1919.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

JOHN R. POWELL, or CLEVELAND, MONTANA,

' SGATE-FASATEINQER.

3 Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 20, 1921.

Application filed April 4, 1919. Serial No. 287,495.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN R. POWELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Blaine, State of Montana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Gate-Fasteners; and I do hereby declare the following to be full, clear, and exact description of the in.- vention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in gate fasteners, and particularly to fasteners for flexible or wire gates.

One object provide a novel'and improved device of this character whereby the gate will be held in a firm and stiff condition and which can be gate and fence showing my invention in-operative connection therewith. I

Fig. 2 is atop plan view of the same. Fig. 3 is. an elevation of the parts shown in Fig. 1, but with the fastener in released position. Fig. 4 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view taken on the line H of Fig. 2.

'Referring'particularly to the accompanying drawing, 10 represents a pair of posts which form part of the fence 11, a horizontal rail 12 connecting the upper portions of said posts, while a diagonal brace 13 is connected to theupper end of one of the posts and the lower endof the other post. The gate 14:, which is of the type known as wire gates, includes the vertical endvpost 15 which is arrangedforengagement with the loop portionof the fastener which will be described. 7

Secured on the upper rail 12 is a'plate 16 which has secured thereon a pair of angle members 17 disposed in parallel spaced relation, and each having its vertical portion apertured forthe reception of the pivot bolt ofthe present invention is to 18. Movably disposed between the said angle members and mounted on the pivot bolt, is the inner end of a metal strip 19, sald end being twisted into a plane at right angles to the remainder ofi the strip, as clearly shown in the drawing. The main portion or stem of the strip is secured to the face of a wooden handle lever 20, and within a recess formed therein so as to lie flush with the surface thereof. Secured to the strip 19, and extending transversely thereof, is a metal strip 21 in each end of which is formed an opening 22, and movably engaged in each of these openings are the ends of a wire loop member 23 which is arranged to be engaged over the upper end of the gate post 15, as seen in the drawings This loop member 23 is formed from a single length of strong and stiff wire which is bent or doubled on itself and the portions resulting therefrom twisted throughout their lengths, the .ends being secured in one of the openings of the strip 21, while the intermedlate portion is engaged through the other opening. I

7 As clearly seen in the drawing, the parts are arranged in such position that the lever or handle is'swung in a vertical arc in the plane of the fence, and that when the loop is engaged over the upper end of the post 15, and'the lever swung downwardly toward the-rail 12, the post 15 will be drawn toward the adjacent post 10 and the gate be properly stretched and held in closed position. To open the gate it is only necessary to swing the lever upwardly from the rail 12, when the loopmember 23 can be lifted from the post 15, and the gate moved into open sition. The lower end of the post 15 is arranged to be engaged in a stationary loop 24 carried by the lower end of the post 10, this being done, as will be understood, before the loop 23 is engaged over the upper end of the post 15.

It is to be understood that the diagonal braces 13 may be of any desired material and rigidly anchored to the posts 10 at each side of the gate, in order to furnish a rigid structure which will resist tension of the fastener in securing the gate in a closed position.

What is claimed is;

A wire gate fastener comprising a lever, a cruciform plate secured to one of the wider faces of one end of the lever with two of its opposite arms projecting from oppo- Site sides of the lever and With one of its remaining arms projecting beyond the end of the lever said last-named arm of the'plate being provided With a hinge member, and a flexible 100p having its ends secured to the outer ends of the first-named opposite arms.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in thepresence of two Witnesses.

JOHN R. POWELL. Witnesses:

RUFUS M; WILSON, CHAS; F. GRASS. 

